Neelum Jeep Accident Claims Two Lives, Leaves Three Missing

News Desk 

Neelum: Tragedy struck in Neelum Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as two tourists lost their lives, and three others, including the tour operator, are missing after their jeep plunged into a fast-flowing water channel. 

Neelum Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Ahmed Janjua reported that eight tourists were rescued, some sustaining injuries in the incident.

The incident occurred around 1:30 pm when the jeep, en-route to the renowned Ratti Gali Lake at 3,683 meters, encountered a driveshaft failure approximately three kilometers from the main Neelum Valley road.

As the vehicle stalled, the driver exited, but the jeep rolled backwards and overturned into the water channel at a curve known as Jabba.

Local residents recovered one body trapped beneath the overturned vehicle, while another was found downstream near Kalas village.

 The deceased were identified as Ahsan Sheikh from Rawalpindi and Muhammad Bachal Attar from Naushahro Feroze, Sindh.

Among the eight rescued tourists were Abu Musab Siddiqui and his wife Sidra Siddiqui from Karachi, Usman Mughal, Abdul Rehman Butt, and Subhan Qureshi from Wazirabad, Mehwal Attar and Saddam Hussain from Naushahro Feroze, and Abdullah Mumtaz Qureshi from Rawalpindi.

Sources said that some of the injured were hospitalized but are reportedly out of danger.

The missing individuals have been identified as Imran Sheikh from Wazirabad, Asrar Ahmed Abbasi from Naushahro Feroze, and the tour operator Dildar from Muzaffarabad. Efforts to locate them have so far been unsuccessful.

Neelum Valley has seen several serious road accidents recently, often attributed to vehicle conditions or driver negligence. 

Janjua, who recently assumed office in Neelum district, has initiated measures to improve vehicle safety, including removing unsafe modifications and overcrowding practices.

Talking to the media, Janjua emphasized the importance of tourists verifying claims made by tour operators and urged better coordination with local authorities to ensure safer travel experiences. 

He also highlighted challenges in managing traffic and ensuring road safety across the vast Neelum Valley, calling for improved infrastructure and personnel support.

The incident has underscored the need for enhanced safety measures and greater awareness among tourists visiting the region.

Additional input from APP. 

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